Big and Bold: Where to Get Awesome Chili Around the Nation

Winter begets the need for comfort food. And what's the go-to fave? A steaming bowl of chili. Whether you're warding off the chill or just looking to sate a serious hunger, you can't go wrong at these top spots for chili around the U.S.

Chili John's, Burbank, CA

The odds are slim that after stuffing yourself with a bowl of chili from Chili John's in Burbank, California, you'd have any room left for their also-famous lemon pie. We suggest you make some, however; the same lemon pie recipe has been on the menu since the 1960s. Chili John's interior harkens back to the 50s and 60s, when diners were a hub of social activity. The circular layout of Chili John's certainly encourages socializing, and allows drooling chili enthusiasts to watch the vats of beef chili (available mild, medium, or hot), vegetarian chili (made with the same chili spices as original, except with bulgur wheat instead of meat, available medium to hot), and chicken chili (served medium or hot). Chili is served with beans, with spaghetti, with spaghetti and beans, or just "straight" (chili alone). And, cheese, onions, and sour cream go well on top, of course.